US strike kills Al Qaeda’s No 2 in Yemen

Al Qaeda confirmed that Nasir al-Wahishi, its number two figure and leader of its powerful Yemeni affiliate, has been killed in a US strike, making it the harshest blow to the global militant network since the killing of Osama bin Laden.

In a video statement released by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, a senior operative read a statement announcing the death of al-Wahishi, who once served as bin Laden’s personal secretary. His deputy, Qassim al-Raimi, is set to replace him.

“Our Muslim nation, a hero of your heroes and a master of your masters left to God, steadfast,” Khaled Batrafi said in the video, vowing that the group’s war on the US would continue.

“In the name of God, the blood of these pioneers make us more determined to sacrifice. Let the enemies know that the battle is not with an individual… the battle led by crusaders and their agents is colliding with a billion-member nation.”

Yemeni security officials had earlier said a US drone strike killed three suspected militants in the al Qaeda-held southern port city of Mukalla last week.

Al Qaeda’s Yemen affiliate has long been seen as its most lethal, and has been linked to a number of foiled or botched attacks on the US homeland. Al-Wahishi also served as deputy to Ayman al-Zawahri, al Qaeda’s top leader, who succeeded bin Laden in 2011.